Pope Francis said he was "deeply saddened" by Wednesday's devastating earthquake in central Italy and led prayers for the victims at his general weekly audience in St. Peter's Square.
"I cannot fail to express my heartfelt sorrow and spiritual closeness to all those present in the zones afflicted,“ Francis told pilgrims.
Franci was speaking at his weekly general audience hours after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Lazio, Umbria and Marche regions at 3.36 am local time, killing scores and leaving thousands homeless.
At least 63 people are known to have been killed in the quake which left 150 people missing and thousands homeless, officials said.
"I also express my condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and my spiritual support to those who are anxious and afraid," Francis said.
"Hearing the mayor of Amatrice say that the town no longer exists, and learning that there are children among the dead, I am deeply saddened," the pontiff said.
Thirty-five people were confirmed to have been killed in Amatrice and most of the town was destroyed, its mayor Sergio Pirozzi told Adnkronos.
Francis assured Amatrice and the other quake-hit areas the "the prayers and close solidarity of the entire Church".
"I ask you to join me in praying to the Lord Jesus," told pilgrims, skipping his traditional catechism.
Officials said the death-toll was expected to rise in Wednesday's temblor whose epicentre was near the Lazio village of Accumoli in the Province of Rieti.
